Faithful

This is chapter one of my story Faithful, which is based on Ezekiel, particularly Chapter 16 (gorgeous!!!). A while ago, I felt like there was something God wanted me to do with my writing that would bring glory to Him, and this is what came out of that. It’s not very good, since it’s very hard to write happy stuff and I wasn’t really into the story when I wrote this. I just recently finished reading Ezekiel, and it’s an amazing book. I hope you enjoy! BTW, Ohobilah means “my tabernacle is in her” and it’s from Ezekiel 23.

Chapter One

            Blood pools around me in a filthy, gory mess. No one loves me. I am alone. Alone forever. There’s nothing but blood and more and more. The flow never stops. Nothing will help me. I’m worthless, writhing, disgusting. My mother threw me out. No one cared to wash me. My father despises me. All I see is pain. What can I do to save myself? Someone help me. All I need is a hand. Just a hand. I’m dying. Oh, God, I can’t breathe. All that’s left is death. Save me. Save me, someone. Keep me from this pain. This eternal pain. When will this end?

I hear screams. Someone’s in pain. I run, hoping to get there in time. She’s dying. She’s covered in blood.  The poor thing. I pick her up and bring her back to the palace. My clothes are covered. She’s filthy. “Live!” I say to her in her blood. I don’t want her to die. I wash her in warm water and cover her in satin clothes. I hope she survives. She’s crying. The tears are warm on my fingers. Where did she come from?

It ended. Oh, God, it’s over. I…I’m in Heaven. Thank you. Thank you, so much. Thank you. Thank you. Tears run down my face. I can’t speak. His fingers are smooth and cool against my burning cheeks. Thank you for caring though I’m filthy and awful.

It’s a lovely day. She’s doing well. She’s thriving! I see her speaking with the servants. Her face lights up whenever she sees me. I love her, no matter where she came from.I don’t want her to leave.

I don’t want to ask. I don’t know where I can go. My life has installed itself right here while I wasn’t looking. I can’t go back out there, I can’t leave this. Oh, God, I don’t know what to do. I know this is selfish…but I pray he’ll never ask me to leave. I’m seated on his left hand at a feast. What an honor. I do not deserve it. He is so kind. He looks happy.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Ohobilah?” I ask her. She smiles and nods. “Do you want to stay?”

I’m laying on my bed, eyes wide open. I don’t think they’ve closed for hours. I can stay! He asked me to promise him something-to save myself for him.Of course I agreed. I will live in the palace permanently now. All the days of my life. Timna, my friend yesterday, sleeps in the next room, my servant. I have authority, not that I would ever need it.I am so happy…I don’t even know how to express it. I can stay, for my life. I am the king’s own.

The day shone mildly, warming the winding cobblestone path as she moved her bare feet slowly across the ground. The garden ran over with life, bright green, transparent leaves clustered with fat, colorful fruit, dragging down the supple branches. The world was beautiful, trapped in an eternal spring, each tree and bush delightfully scenic and tasteful in their own place. Oholibah smiled.

Soon a small alcove came into view where a young man sat, ankles crossed and tucked underneath the seat, his hands flat on the stone bench. He faced his garden with a blissful, quiet expression. When he saw her, he smiled handsomely, standing up. “I made something for you,” he said brightly.

Oholibah kissed his cheek, holding his hand lightly as they both sat back down. The bench was deliciously cool compared to the persistently warm sun. “What is it, my lord?” she asked. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a glimmering, polished bracelet, studded with jewels. The king’s smile widened as he saw her surprised face looking down at it. “It’s…beautiful.” Her eyes were caught on the wrought gold. “Thank you so much. You made this? For me?”

He nodded. “Put it on.” She slid the bracelet on shyly, still in wonder of the beauty, eyes locked on it. The king hugged her, softly saying “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she murmured.

The room was flooded with light, shadows from the budding trees swaying back and forth over the intricate Persian rugs. The celebration was an hour away. Ohobilah lay on her bed, hair disheveled and her beautiful dress, a spring green one that the king had given her, spread around her. She was smiling into her reflection, warped by the polished gold of her new bracelet. “I’m so lucky,” she grinned. Tonight was their anniversary. Their entire kingdom would be there, looking up at their king, celebrating the kingdom’s lasting peace and prosperity under such a wide leader. She couldn’t wait.

A servant walked in quietly. “Ma’am, you should be getting ready,” she said anxiously.

“Thank you, Timna,” Ohobilah said, sitting up as the maid began to plait her hair. She kept staring into her reflection.

“Did the king just give that to you, miss?”

“Yes,” she said with a vague smile. “Isn’t it beautiful? He made it himself.”

“I thought so,” she said confidently. “I saw him walking into the garden with the happiest smile on his face. He really loves giving things to you.”

“Yes. He loves me very much. I wonder what I should give back to him?”

Timna chuckled. “The king has everything he wants right now, I believe. You don’t need to give anything back to win his affection.”

“Yes, but…” Ohobilah laughed with her. “You’re right. It doesn’t matter,” She looked up, lifting her face into a patch of sunlight coming from the tall, glass windows.

“Keep still, my lady.”

“Yes, Timna.” She began smoothing down her dress methodically, her fingers sweeping across the smooth material soundlessly. Ohobilah yawned. “I wish I had more energy. I don’t know if I can stay awake at the feast.” Timna just kept tugging at her hair. “I’m exhausted.” She muttered. The tugging grew the tiniest bit harder.  “That hurts, Timna!” Ohobilah complained.

“Sorry, ma’am.”

A sharp knock rattled the heavy oak doors. “Come in,” the queen cried in a commanding voice.

A guard, dressed in the scarlet colors of the king, walked in stiffly. “Five minutes until your appearance, my lady.”

“Thank you, I’ll be ready.” Ohobilah sent him out with a small nod of her head and he responded with a deep, respectful bow, closing the door behind him. “It’s a good thing I’m already dressed,” she sighed, picking a hair off her skirt. Behind her, the queen could feel her servant pinning the last strand of hair up.

“Thank you, Timna,” she said, standing up quickly and rushing to the door. She opened it to see the king, leaning against the red and gold walls, beaming at her in his ceremonial robe.

“You look lovely, my dear,” he said, his eyes warm and radiant. He walked over to her and offered his arm, which she took, smiling back.

The trumpets blared, harmonizing with each other as the cheers of the people rose up against them like a wave. The heavy doors opened onto the balcony, overlooking a great multitude of subjects. Lords of the king’s provinces sat upon huge elephants, waving at them. Fathers hoisted their eager children onto their backs to give the tykes a better view of the nobility. The noise from vendors ceased entirely as they stopped handing out juices and pies to stare up in awe at the two beautiful royals.

Ohobilah’s smile grew wider. Everyone loved her so much. She knew she belonged where she was, at the head, with the king, as thousands of people cheered them. This was right. This was good. She fiddled with her bracelet happily, waving regally every once in a while, gently removing her arm from the king’s. He turned to her and kissed her cheek. His eyes were so passionate…so loving…so kind. Ohobilah looked down to the crowd. Their eyes were filled with the same love, the same beauty.

The world was at its best.

“Ohobilah, see how much they love you? I love you so much more.”

“Oh, I know. You tell me every day, my lord, how could I doubt it?” she elbowed him teasingly. His smile looked tired and strained. “Cheer up! Enjoy the festivities.” Ohobilah looked back down and continued waving.

In the corner of her eye, she saw a dark-clad figure. He moved through the crowd with a proud grace, smooth and haughty, with long strides. People parted before him easily as he shoved through them. He looked up at her, into her eyes, with a curious gleam, and smiled. He didn’t wave-he just stood there, gazing commandingly into her eyes.

“Who’s that?” Ohobilah asked, turning around with a finger pointed at him. The king’s eyes were darker now. Almost intimidating. She looked back down, following his intense glare. The man in black had disappeared. “What’s wrong?” she asked, softer now.

“There’s no reason to ruin this lovely moment with such a long, arduous story,” he said laughingly. But he didn’t look her in the face, and there was pain, sharp and strong, drawn in the downward tilt of his mouth. Ohobilah didn’t pursue it.

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